If you missed out on our reader meetup for June 3rd in San Francisco, don’t delay. We just received a new allotment of tickets and more prizes. Stop down, enjoy some cocktails and chat with your favorite tech writers from GottaBeMobile, SlashGear, Android Community, IntoMobile, BetaNews and Netshelter. In all we are giving away 10 Samsung Galaxy Tab Wi-Fi’s, 5 Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1′s and five different smartphones!

Smartphone and Tablet News for the week of May 27th

• Android Tablets Aren’t Made To Be Held The Right Way
  Tim Bray, Google’s Developer Advocate for Android, has taken a stand on tablet orientation, and he says portrait mode is the way to go. I wouldn’t go that far, but he makes some good points. Unfortunately, the problem isn’t with how people are holding their Android tablets, but how manufacturers are designing them.
• 10 Ways to Fight Desk Job Death & Stay Active at Work
  A new study of how Americans work shows that as we have made the move to desk jobs we have become less active, leading to obesity and other health issues. Here are 10 ways to stay active.
• Top 50 Android Apps, Widgets and Shortcuts – What’s On My Android Homescreen
  Here’s a look at my Android home screen which includes my most used apps, widgets and shortcuts for Android.
• Is There a Lack of Smartphone Diversity on Verizon’s 4G LTE Network?
  Granted, 4G LTE and its consumer-facing devices are still in an infancy period having only been recently made available for purchase within the last few months, but the three Android smartphones–two of which are available today and one coming later this week–all exhibit similar traits.
• Sprint Poaching Motorola Droid X2 from Verizon, Launching as Photon 4G?
  Sprint may be adopting another handset from Verizon Wireless–the Now Network had previously announced that it will be launching the Verizon Motorola Droid Pro as the Motorola XPRT on its network–and this time it’s the Droid X2, which would launch as the Photon 4G.
• HTC ThunderBolt Reboot Fix Coming Soon, Verizon Offering Trade-In to Those Affected?
  HTC and Verizon are well aware of the random reboot issues that have been plaguing the HTC ThunderBolt since it was updated earlier this month. In fact, it appears that Verizon is on the verge of releasing a fix for the issues as its apparently ready and will head to Verizon employees with ThunderBolt’s first and then to the general public if all goes smoothly.

Smartphone Reviews for May 27th

• Motorola Droid X2 Review (Video)
  You know the saying “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it?” Well, Motorola and Verizon apparently had that phrase posted all over their offices when mulling over ideas for the successor to the original Motorola Droid X because the Motorola Droid X2 is a splitting image of its older brother. Thankfully it adds a qHD display and dual core processor.
• Square: Small Business Owners Love This Mobile Payment System (video review)
  From what I can tell, small business owners absolutely love Square and the service is going viral. Spin City Cafe is an example of one business I frequent that uses Square.
• How To Tether To Your Android Phone with WiFi Tether
  WiFi Tether is an app for rooted Android phones that lets you use your phone as a wireless hotspot. This allows users to bypass carriers’ built-in Wi-Fi hotspot software, which is especially helpful on phones that come with unreliable hotspot apps, such as the HTC Thunderbolt.

New Notebooks for the Week of May 27th

• Dell XPS 15z: Thinnest 15″ PC on the Planet, Takes on MacBook Pro
  The Dell XPS 15z may look like a MacBook Pro, but it has a few extras you won’t find on Apple’s high end notebook.
• Sony VAIO S Packs High Res Display an Optical Drive into Tiny Package
  Sony delivers a crazy high 1600×900 resolution on the 13.3″ VAIO S.
• Quad Core AMD Llano Processor Inbound to HP Pavilion dv6
  AMD FUsion A Quad Core processors are likely to hit HP notebooks next month
• Eee PC Netbook with MacBook Air Styling Coming at Computex
  Asus is teasing a MacBook Air looking netbook to be unveiled at Computex. Check out what it might look like.
• Notebook Designed for Seniors and Aging Population
  We hope a manufacturer brings these notebooks designed to meet the needs of the elderly into production.
• Sony Vaio F Notebooks Arrive Packing a Multimedia Punch
  Sony unleashes a second upgrade, this time to the VAIO F notebooks with a full 1080P HD display and multimedia touches.
• Panasonic Toughbook 31 Continues to Set Benchmark for Rugged Notebooks
  Panasonic adds Sandy Bridge processors to the new Toughbook 31 notebook. This refresh also allows the screen to go form super bright all the way down to 2 nit for use in nighttime applications.

Notebook News for the Week of May 27th

• Amazon Mac App Store Launches With Apps You Can’t Get in Apple’s Store
  Amazon’s new Mac App Store has apps you can’t get direct from Apple’s App store like Microsoft Office 2011 for Mac.
• New MacDefender Called MacGuard Installs Without Your Password
  Malware authors continue to pester Mac users with fake antivirus software. Now you don’t even need to enter your password to install the software.
• Kanex mLinq USB to HDMI Adapter Gives Macs a 2nd or 3rd Display
  Use the Kanex mLinq to turn your Mac’s USB port into a HDMI port capable of connecting to a monitor or HDTV.
• 11 Last Minute High School Graduation Gifts That Don’t Suck – Tech, Gadgets and Games
  Need a fast graduation gift for a high school senior? Check out our list of Graduation gifts that will actually get used.
• 10 Tips To Getting Things Done While Working at a Coffee Shop
  After spending 3 to 5 days a week working from a coffee shop for the last 5 months, we share our secrets to getting things done while working from a mobile office.

Notebook and Accessory Reviews for May 27th

• Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000 Offers Basics [Review]
  The Microsoft Bluetooth Mouse 5000 is a capable Bluetooth mouse, but doesn’t stand out, even with a low price.
• Verbatim Touch Mouse Brings Apple Magic Mouse Feel to Windows [Review]
  Verbatim brings touch to the mobile mouse, a la the Apple Magic Mouse, but doesn’t deliver on the experience.

Weekly Wrapup: Notebook, Tablet and Smartphone News & Reviews (May 27th) is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

HP DataPass Hands On Video

Correction: In the video it is stated that HP is working directly with Sprint on DataPass.HP is purchasing wholesale Sprint data capacity through Peregrine, a third-party company.

The service piggybacks, for now, on Sprint’s 3G network, and HP says that it’s service is available only in the U.S. at this point, but the computer-maker is looking into expanding the service in other territories. The great thing about HP DataPass is users can either choose to use it, choose to use another carrier’s mobile broadband offerings–like those through AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint, or choose to ignore mobile broadband together if they don’t need it.

With many laptops now coming with the option for a Gobi chipset, users don’t need to choose which carrier they want their notebooks to work with. The Gobi chip allows users to choose if they want Verizon Wireless, Sprint, or AT&T service after the point of sale as it is compatible with all three carrier’s mobile broadband 3G networks.

With more laptops coming with embedded 3G modems, meaning you won’t need a MiFi or a USB dongle to connect to your carrier’s Internet, having an inexpensive, short-term option for mobile broadband access may mean that you’ll be more productive on the road on the off chance that you can’t find a free WiFi hotspot.

HP DataPass Pricing

Essentially, you can buy data by time periods–between 5 hours and 30 days–or by the bucket–between 75 MB to 1 GB–whichever expires first. The service is similar to a pre-paid cellular service. Here’s the pricing breakdown:

• $5.00: 75 MB or 5 hours of use
• $10.00: 150 MB or 3 days of use
• $20.00: 450 MB or 14 days of use
• $30.00: 1 GB or 30 days of use

In the enterprise market, the service will be great for users who may not otherwise get their manager’s approval for a $50-$80 monthly service for 2 years at a time. HP explains that in many companies, users who may not be as high up on the totem pole can still have access to mobile broadband access while traveling and would be more easily able to expense their data charges without being tied to an expensive monthly contract.

Connecting to the service is easy and seamless through HP’s connection manager. Additionally, when you run out of time or data through your purchased bucket, you can reload at any time.

HP DataPass Brings Pre-Paid Mobile Broadband to HP Notebooks (Video) is a post by Chuong Nguyen from Notebooks.com.

Smartphone and Tablet News for the week of May 6th

• The Best Android Smartphones – Coming Summer 2011
  A look at the hottest Android smartphones coming this summer.
• The 5 Best Android Smartphones [May, 2011]
  The hottest Android smartphones available right now.
• How My iPad Made Me Hate Paper and Helped Me Save Over $15,000
  Kevin saves a load of money by using his iPad ad ditching paper.
• Kevin Saves the Dough by Going Paperless, I’m Not So Lucky
  Warner still has trouble going paperless, note for lack of trying though.
• RIM Demos Android Apps on BlackBerry PlayBook, Again (Video)
  RIM has posted another video of the tablet showing off its ability to run applications of the Android variety with more details.
• Verizon to Target Female Demographics with HTC Bliss Android Smartphone, Droidette?
  Verizon is rumored to be coming out with an Android phone geared towards women. With a glowing charm accessory.
• HTC EVO 3D Details, Review & Hands-On Video Roundup
  Everything you need to know about the HTC EVO 3D before it launches this summer.
• Fujitsu Stylistic Q550 Tablet PC Slate Launching Today
  Sumocat delivers his thoughts on the Fujitsu Stylistic Q550 slate Tablet PC.
• LG Revolution Details, Review & Hands-On Video Roundup
  What we know so far about the LG Revolution, likely the 3rd 4G LTE device to come to Verizon.
• RIM Announces BlackBerry 7, Says Current BlackBerry Phones Won’t Get It
  RIM also introduced its latest and greatest operating system, BlackBerry 7, which will launch on the new BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930 aka BlackBerry Bold Touch at some point this year.
• RIM Announces BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930 (BlackBerry Bold Touch)
  RIM introduced the BlackBerry Bold Touch at its BlackBerry World conference. The device, which had been expected for quite some time, will officially be known as the BlackBerry Bold 9900 and the BlackBerry Bold 9930
• Finger Nose Stylus for Stall Surfers Might Be Carrying Things a Bit Far
  A strap on nose stylus lets you stall surf and tub surf with ease.
• Prepaid Smartphone Showdown: Virgin Mobile, Metro PCS, Verizon, T-Mobile & More
  A look at the prepaid smartphone options from national carriers like Virgin Mobile, Verizon and T-Mobile as well as smaller carriers like US Cellular, Metro PCS and Boost Mobile

Smartphone and Accessory Reviews for May 2011

• Review: Sprint MiFi 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot (Video)
  Check out our thoughts on the Sprint MiFi 3G/4G hotspot.
• SugarSync Review: Back Up and Sync With Multiple Computers – Better Than Dropbox
  SugarSync stole Kevin away from Dropbox. Find out why he switched.
• Verizon Droid Charge Review (Video)
  The Droid Charge is the newest 4G LTE phone to land on Verizon, check out our review before the Charge arrives in store.
• BooqPad iPad 2 Folio Review: The iPad Case for Note Takers
  The BooqPad + Evernote makes for a great inking experience.
• Casio G’zOne Commando Rugged Android Smartphone Hands On and First Impressions (Video)
  The Casio G’zOne Commando is a rugged Android smartphone that looks intimidating, but loves a good soak.
• Droid Incredible 2 Hands On and First Impressions (Video)
  The Droid Incredible 2 is a slim but powerful 3G smartphone. Check out our first impressions.

Notebook News for the Week of May 6th

MacBook Air Running Windows 7

• Mac Owners Targeted with Fake Antivirus App
  Malware programmers are after Mac Owners with a new fake Antivirus app that tries to get your money and your credit card information.
• USB Modems Preferred 3 to 1 over Personal Hotspots. Why?
  Users prefer USB modems over mobile hotspots. We don’t know why either.
• Is the MacBook Air a Good Windows 7 Notebook?
  A look at how Windows 7 runs as a full time OS on teh MacBook Air. Also, how to set this up for yourself.
• Is Apple dumping Intel for ARM?
  Rumors point to Apple ditching Intel for ARM powered notebooks and desktops. Find out our take.
• Standing Desk Guide: Measurements, Examples and Benefits
  Everything you need to know to get started with a standup desk.
• Two Reasons the Mac OS X Lion Update Will Come On a Disc
  Two reasons why OS X Lion will come on a disk or drive when it arrives this summer.

Notebook Reviews for May 2011

• Samsung RV511 Review: Great Features on a $500 Notebook
  The feature packed RV511 earns high marks for value thanks to looks and a collection of features typical of higher priced notebooks.
• Acer Aspire 7552G-6436 Review [Video]
  Check out this Quad Core Desktop replacement. It’s not perfect, but it might be right for you.
• Ergotron WorkFit S Review: Standing Desk With Hinged Dual LCD Mount (Video)
  Review of our favorite Sit stand desk from Ergotron with a cool new hinged monitor mount.
• ASUS Eee PC 1215B with AMD Fusion Hands On (Video)
  Hands on video of the AMD Fusion powered ASUS Eee PC 1215B

How To Guides for May

• How To Make Windows 7 Look and Act Like Windows XP
  Make Windows 7 look and act like Windows XP if you can’t bear to change. Even if it is for the better.
• 9 Tips for Troubleshooting Internet Explorer 9
  How to handle common Internet Explorer 9 issues.

Weekly Wrapup: Notebook, Tablet and Smartphone News (May 6th) is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

What is 4G?

While we may go back and forth about the definition of 4G, and the speeds vary from carrier to carrier, there is one thing e can agree on — 4G is fast. We ran a speedtest on the HTC Thunderbolt which uses Verizon’s 4G network and were able to clock the following speeds. Yes, these speeds may slow some when the more users get on the network, but you should still expect around 12MB per second downloading and 5MB per second uploading. Keep reading to see how the 4G speeds compare across networks.

Types of 4G Notebook Connections

There are three main ways of connecting your notebook or WiFi gadgets to the high speed 4G network – USB Modem, Mobile Hotspot and Tethering with a 4G smartphone. All of these solutions have strengths and weaknesses, but whichever way you decide to connect you’ll be able to get connected faster than you thought possible.

4G USB Modem – Small and plugs into your notebook. Pro: No battery Con: Won’t work with more than 1 device or the iPad 2

4G Mobile Hotspot – Small, portable with ability to connect multiple devices over WiFi. Pro: WiFi anywhere you are. Con: Bring a cord because the battery may run out fast.

4G Smartphone Tethering/Personal Hotspot – No need for another device, tap to start your hotspot. Pro: Built into many phones, cheaper than standalone plans. Con: Burns through battery life fast.

4G USB Modems (By Carrier)

Sprint 4G USB Modems:

Sprint 4G USB Modem

• Sprint 3G/4G USB U600 - Free with 2 Year Contract

Verizon 4G USB Modems:

Verizon 4G LTE USB Modem

• Verizon 4G LTE USB Modem USB55IL - $99 after $50 MIR w/ 2 year contract
• LG 4G LTE USB Modem VL600 - $99 after $50 MIR w/ 2 year contract
• Pantech 4G USB Modem UML290 - $49 after $50 MIR w/ 2 year contract

T-Mobile 4G USB Modem:

T-Mobile 4G USB Modem

• T-Mobile Jet 2.0 – Free after $50 MIR w/ 2 Year Contract

4G Mobile Hotspots (By Carrier)

Sprint 4G Mobile Hotspots:

Sprint 4G MiFi

• Overdrive™ 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot by Sierra Wireless – $49 w/ 2 year contract
• Sprint MiFi 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot - $79 w/ 2 year contract

Verizon 4G Mobile Hotspots:

Verizon 4G LTE MiFI

• Verizon  4G MiFi 4510L – $99 after $50 MIR w/ 2 year contract
• Samsung 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot SCH-LC11 – $99 after $50 MIR w/ 2 year contract

T-Mobile 4G Hotspots:

T-Mobile 4G Hotspot

• T-Mobile 4G Mobile Hotspot - $79 w/ 2 year contract

4G Smartphones with Hotspot

Sprint 4G Smartphones with Mobile Hotspot:

HTC EVO 4G with Personal Hotspot

• HTC EVo 4G - $199.99 with 2 year contract
• HTC EVO Shift 4G – $149.99 with 2 year contract
• Samsung Epic 4G – $149.99 with 2 year contract

Verizon 4G Smartphones with Mobile Hotspot:

HTC Thunderbolt with 4G Personal Hotspot

• HTC Thunderbolt – $249.99 w/ 2 year contract

T-Mobile 4G Smartphones with Mobile Hotspot:

T-Mobile G2x with 4G Personal Hotspot

• T-Mobile® G2x™ with Google - $199.99 after $50 MIR with 2 year contract
• T-Mobile® G2™ with Google - $199.99 after $50 MIR with 2 year contract
• Samsung Galaxy S™ 4G - $199.99 after $50 MIR with 2 year contract

4G Hotspot, Modem and Smartphone Tethering prices

Sprint 4G Data Plan Pricing:

• MiFi and USB Modem – $59.99 for 4G Unlimited and 3G 5GB/month
• Personal Hotspot (in addition to data plan) – $29.99

Verizon 4G Data Plan Pricing:

• MiFi and USB Modem - 5GB for $50/month, 10GB for $80/month
• Personal Hotspot (in addition to data plan) - $14.99

T-Mobile 4G Data Plan Pricing:

• MiFi and USB Modem – 5GB for $50/month, 10GB for $85/month
• Personal Hotspot (in addition to data plan) – $14.99

4G Speeds (By Carrier)

The 4G network speeds vary from carrier to carrier and often from place to place within the city, but we have collected the claimed speeds from Sprint, Verizon and T-Mobile below. In some cases we have been able to achieve faster speeds depending on the location.

If you want to know how coverage and speeds are in your area, the best bet may be to ask around amongst your friends and coworkers to see how their 4G speeds are.

Claimed 4G Speeds: Actual Speeds may be higher or lower in practice.

Sprint 4G Speed – 3-6MBps download/1MBps upload

Verizon 4G Speed – 5-12MBps download/2-5MBps upload

T-Mobile 4G – Speed - 5-8MBs download/ not stated

4G Coverage Areas

4G coverage is limited to major cities and airports right now, but most major carriers are working on a fast and massive 4G rollout. Verizon, for example, is on an ambitious push to cover a large number of metropolitan areas by the end of 2011. We have heard from several sources who have told us that the 4G rollout should happen much faster than the initial 3G rollout.

Sprint 4G Coverage:

Sprint 4G Coverage

Check Sprint 4G coverage in more detail.

Verizon 4G Coverage:

Verizon 4G Coverage

Check Verizon 4G coverage in more detail.

T-Mobile 4G Coverage:

T-Mobile 4G Coverage

Check T-Mobile 4G coverage in more detail.

4G Hotspot and USB Modem Roundup: Notebook & Laptop 4G Connections is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

LTE has been selected as a standard by AT&T and Verizon Wireless in the U.S. Sprint, an early 4G adopter, had rolled out WiMax and launched the HTC EVO 4G as the first 4G Android smartphone in the U.S., which can connect to the carrier’s 3G CDMA EV-DO network and 4G WiMax where available. In addition to the HTC EVO 4G and USB dongles, Sprint also launched the Sprint Overdrive, a portable mobile hotspot router that will allow up to 5 devices to connect to and share the mobile broadband connection via WiFi. The carrier is will also launch an improved MiFi unit that supports 4G WiMax.

The decision to consider LTE as a 4G protocol came out of a round table discussion from Sprint’s Bob Azzi along with its hardware partners. According to the carrier, it will continue to study customer adoption rate of WiMax in the next four to six months before it decides on LTE.

That decision is part of Sprint’s overhaul plan to install new multi-mode towers to reduce network costs. The carrier is also in the phase of winding down its Nextel iDEN operations, which would give it more bandwidth and spectrum should it decide to roll out a WiMax and LTE network.

Depending on how manufacturers make phones and the spectrums and frequencies that devices support, if Sprint adopts LTE, a multi-band LTE smartphone may be able to roam on rival networks if Sprint inks an agreement with AT&T and Verizon, which would help improve coverage at this early phase of 4G deployment. With WiMax, Sprint is the lone major cellular company that’s invested in that protocol, reducing the ability to roam.

For laptop use, I’ve experienced faster speeds on Verizon’s nascent LTE network, averaging download speeds between 5 and 20 Mbps on average and upload speeds between 2 and 10 Mbps–Verizon only promises 5-10 Mbps on the download side and 2-5 Mbps on the upload. In the Bay Area where Sprint recently launched 4G WiMax, both download and upload speeds were considerably slower than the 3-6 Mbps and 1-3 Mbps that Sprint had quoted respectively, though the speeds where much faster when Sprint had initially announced the HTC EVO 4G in Las Vegas, NV at CTIA.

Via: Fierce Wireless

Sprint Still Considering LTE as Mobile Broadband Standard for Use is a post by Chuong Nguyen from Notebooks.com.

The Sprint credit union saver program doesn’t just offer 10% off most consumer plans, it offers 15% off many corporate plans. Other discounts include waved application fees and waived upgrade fees as well as discounts on phones. The discounts also cover most monthly recurring charges such as data or texting.

Unfortunately the savings are not compatible with the SERO or Simply Everything plans.

If you aren’t a member of a credit union you can join one easily. Most credit unions offer free membership to anyone who lives, works or worships in their community. You can also join different credit unions if you belong to specific groups. Most of the time you will need to put $25 in a savings account for membership, but after that you’re good to go.

To sign up for the Sprint credit union discount visit cuSaver.com or call (877) SAVE-4-CU and tell them you’re a “Credit Union Member,” and ask to be attached to the NACUC Corporate ID.

Sprint Discount Available to All Credit Union Members is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

ChangeWave is a market research firm and they surveyed “professional and early-adopter consumers” at the end of last year, before the actual announcement of the Verizon iPhone.

When looking at the number of all AT&T customers the percentage drops to only 15%. This was a spike in the numbers compared to previous surveys, which put the number at only 10% who planned to switch away  from AT&T in the next quarter for any reason.

Compared to people who plan to switch away from the other mobile carriers, AT&T and T-Mobile both had 15% of all customers planning to switch away to another carrier. Only 4% of Verizon customers planned to switch away from the carrier in the next 90 days. Ten percent of Sprint customers planned to switch.

The numbers get scary for AT&T when you factor in contract terms. The 41% is of those who plan to switch within the first three months after Verizon offers the iPhone. Only 26% of iPhone owners said they would switch away from AT&T within the next three months, but that survey was taken when a Verizon iPhone was only speculation. Now that it is a reality, the 41% is much more pertinent. Additionally, 31% of iPhone owners who have to wait up to a year for their AT&T contract to expire said they would switch.

Keep in mind this survey was of tech-savvy users, not the average AT&T customer so it’s isn’t representative of the customer base as a whole. Also, now that the Verizon iPhone is real, and not a rumor, the numbers could move either way as customers get familiar with the idea.

Verizon iPhone 4 Will Entice Up to 41% of AT&T iPhone Owners is a post by Kevin Purcell from Notebooks.com.

The new MiFi 4G mobile hostpots from Sprint (WiMAX) and Verizon (4G LTE) both run on the faster 4G networks, but that’s not all. The new MiFi devices have a new look which includes an eInk notification display that provides the status of your signal, battery life, GPS and more. This is a huge improvement over the previous MiFi 2200 units which essentially alerted you to a low battery with a flashing red LED and then it would turn off.

The features that really seal the deal are part of the MiFi OS which is now available for the first time on Verizon and Sprint MiFi devices. The MiFi OS allows you to manage your MiFi from the web and includes widgets and the apps you need to connect so that you aren’t always installing the connection manager on new computers you use.

Another new feature we like is the ability to use your MiFi for WiFi while it is connected to your computer. The earlier MiFi 2200 devices wouldn’t provide WiFi while plugged into a computer to charge. This meant you would need to run a connection manager and couldn’t connect another device to the MiFi while it recharged. There’s also a microSD card reader that allows you to easily share files between connected users which coworkers on the go will really appreciate.

The Novatel Mifi 4G Devices from Sprint and Verizon is Notebooks.com’s Choice for Best Notebook Accessory of CES 2011.

Best Notebook Accessory of CES 2011: Novatel 4G MiFi from Sprint and Verizon is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

Well, until he bought a Mugen extended battery so that his phone would last through the day and had to hack his Otterbox case to fit. You can see the bastardization below including cutting, packing tape and electrical tape as well as stretched plastic that looks like you asked my Uncle to fit inside an extra small wetsuit!

Apparently there’s no extended battery version of the HTC Hero OtterBox Defender case he bought, which is why the cutting, splicing and taping was done. He loves his OtterBox case, but at Christmas he couldn’t stop wishing for an extended battery version…and I couldn’t help looking at his work of art so OtterBox, any chance we’ll see an extended battery option?

Dear OtterBox Please Make an Extended Battery Case For My Uncle (Hacked Case) is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

Best Buy Mobile is the store’s specialty store for reselling phones for AT&T, Sprint, Verizon and T-Mobile. During October the store offered free phones as part of their “Free Phone Friday” campaign. As a follow-up Best Buy Mobile is doing it again.

The first four phones available are as follows:

• Droid Incredible by HTC on Verizon (first image below) has a 3.7″ HD display and an 8MP camera and runs Android 2.1, but should be updated to 2.2 since it was pushed out back in August
• HTC Aria on AT&T (second image below) is an Android 2.1 phone with GPS, a 5MP camera and a 3.2″ screen
• LG Optimus S on Sprint (like the third image below) is an Android 2.2 phone with a 3.2 MP camera and a 3.2″ screen
• LG Optimus T on T-Mobile (third image below) is like the above phone

As with all cell phones, these require first that the customer be eligible if they are upgrading an existing line. Also, the customer must sign a two-year contract with a monthly data package.

Best Buy Offering 4 Free Smart Phones a Day in December is a post by Kevin Purcell from Notebooks.com.